Independent reviews of UK brokers since 1996

AxiTrader vs HYCM

Axi or HYCM – which is better for UK traders 2026? Compare Axi and HYCM in this detailed breakdown of their platforms, features and fees.

Axi vs HYCM Comparison Table 2026
Axi HYCM
3.7
3.8
Axi is ranked #13 among CFD brokers. HYCM is ranked #18 among CFD brokers.
Visit Axi Visit HYCM
Founded in 2007, Axi is a forex and CFD broker operating under multiple regulations. Over the years, it has enhanced the trading experience by broadening its stock offerings, upgrading the Axi Academy, and launching a proprietary copy trading app. HYCM, authorised by four global entities including the FCA, is an online broker. It provides short-term CFD trading on forex, shares, commodities, indices, ETFs, and Bitcoin. The broker supports MT4, MT5, and Trading Central analysis.

72.4% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider

Pros
  • Axi provides an excellent MT4 experience, enhanced by the NextGen plug-in for sophisticated order management and analytics, with low execution latency around 30ms.
  • In 2026, Axi launched an AI trading tool that lets MT5 users manage accounts and set up trades through Claude, advancing agentic trading.
  • Experienced traders may enrol in the Axi Select programme via the broker's offshore branch, offering up to $1 million in funding and a 90% profit share. Several traders have reached this milestone.
  • Axi Academy offers a wealth of educational resources, from free eBooks and video tutorials to interactive quizzes. These are particularly beneficial for novice traders.
  • Based on our tests, Axi's new trading app is highly intuitive. It offers practical filtering options to align strategies with individual risk preferences.
  • HYCM, established in 1977, has endured events like Black Wednesday, the 2008 financial crisis, the SNB shock, and various FCA regulatory changes that saw many rivals restructure or exit. While many brokers recently obtained FCA regulation, HYCM's longstanding compliance spans a full generation of retail traders. This signifies a uniquely established track record.
  • While most retail CFD brokers offer gold, oil, and silver, HYCM goes further by providing agricultural soft commodities. This is available from a standard account without requiring a higher minimum deposit or professional status. For those seeking true commodity diversification beyond metals and energy, such access is unusually available at this level.
  • Instead of a fixed leverage cap, HYCM's model automatically decreases leverage as position volume grows, safeguarding traders from excessive exposure on large trades without manual margin adjustments. Typical retail brokers set a static leverage limit, leaving risk control entirely to traders. The dynamic model provides a structural risk safeguard, especially beneficial for novice traders gradually expanding positions.
Cons
  • Even with the expansion of stock CFDs in the US, UK, and EU markets, its range still falls short compared to companies like BlackBull, which provide thousands of equities for varied trading opportunities.
  • Axi lags by solely providing MT4, while competitors have upgraded to MT5, cTrader, TradingView, and bespoke platforms, delivering a smoother user experience with enhanced tools.
  • Axi retains our confidence. However, recent issues with ASIC and FMA require it to maintain a secure environment and comply with licensing standards.
  • Although Axi delivers excellent performance, its support is not available 24/7. This unavailability can be inconvenient for traders operating in different time zones or requiring help beyond regular trading hours.
  • HYCM still uses the same MT4, MT5, and proprietary mobile app infrastructure from five years ago. There's no TradingView, cTrader, social trading, copy trading, or PAMM available. Despite having nearly 50 years of history and FCA regulation, the lack of platform development shows little focus on technology investment. This is crucial as rivals integrate TradingView and expand social trading to appeal to new retail traders.
  • Brokers such as eToro, Pepperstone, and IC Markets have created client acquisition channels centred on social and copy trading. HYCM lacks this approach. This leaves new traders wishing to invest in proven strategies and experienced traders aiming to profit from managing external capital without a platform. Consequently, HYCM fails to serve this segment of retail traders.
  • The limitation appears solely in HYCM's terms. Investors opening a Fixed or Classic account, creating a short-term strategy, and executing rapid trades risk having profits seized and accounts suspended without notice. The Raw account allows more precise trading, but the threshold between allowed and forbidden trading frequency is not clearly defined on hycm.com.
Awards
  • Global Most Innovative Broker 2025 - Finance Magnates Awards
  • Best Funded Trader Program 2023 - ADVFN International Financial Awards
  • Best MT4 Provider UK 2022 – International Business Magazine Awards
  • Best CFD Provider 2022 – Shares Awards
  • Best CFD Provider 2021 – Shares Awards
  • Most Transparent Forex Broker (Middle East) 2021 - Global Forex Awards
  • Best EMEA Region Broker 2020 - ADVFN International Financial Awards
FCA Regulated
Yes Yes
Instruments
CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs
Demo Account
Yes Yes
Minimum Deposit
$0 $20
Payment Methods
Minimum Trade
0.01 Lots 0.01 Lots
Regulator
FCA, ASIC, FMA, DFSA, FSC FCA, DFSA
Mobile Apps
iOS & Android iOS & Android
Trading App
Axi's app offers a seamless trading experience, combining essential tools for active global market trading in one place. Enhanced with bug fixes and improved speed, it now includes push notifications, custom watchlists, and educational videos, all within an impressive user-friendly interface.
iOS App Rating
3.6 3
Android App Rating
4.2 3.6
Margin Trading
Yes Yes
Margin Rate
Variable upon regulation and jurisdiction
MetaTrader 4
Yes Yes
MetaTrader 5
No Yes
cTrader
No No
AlgoTrader
No No
OmniTrader
No No
TradingView
No No
Autochartist
Yes No
eSignal
No No
Trading Central
No Yes
STP Account
Yes No
ECN Account
No Yes
DMA Account
No No
MAM Account
Yes No
PAMM Account
Yes No
LAMM Account
No No
Demat Account
No No
AI / Machine Learning
Yes No
Robo Advisor
No No
Negative Balance Protection
Yes Yes
Market Maker
No No
P2P Trading
No No
Spot Trading
Yes Yes
Auto Trading
Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, Myfxbook Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader
Copy Trading
Yes No
Social Trading
Yes No
Trade Signals
MT4, Autochartist
VPS Hosting
Yes No
Tournaments
No No
Demo Competitions
Yes No
Ethical Investing
No No
Custodial Account
No No
Guaranteed Stop Loss
No No
Inactivity Fee
$10 $10
Islamic Account
Yes Yes
Account Currencies
  • CHF
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • PLN
  • USD
  • AED
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • RUB
  • USD
Commodities
  • Cocoa
  • Coffee
  • Copper
  • Gasoline
  • Gold
  • Natural Gas
  • Oil
  • Platinum
  • Precious Metals
  • Silver
  • Coffee
  • Copper
  • Cotton
  • Gold
  • Oil
  • Palladium
  • Platinum
  • Silver
  • Sugar
CFD
Axi provides an expanding range of CFDs on currencies, shares, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, subject to location. Designed for active traders, it imposes no limits on scalping or algorithmic strategies, offers significant leverage, and ensures rapid execution with latency below 100ms. HYCM offers traders the opportunity to engage in trading CFDs across various stocks, indices, commodities, and ETFs, all featuring floating spreads. Leverage limits differ depending on the specific instrument. Clients can select from two top-tier trading platforms.
Leverage
1:30 1:30
FTSE Spread
1.0 1.5
GBPUSD Spread<
0.6 0.1
Oil Spread
0.03 2.0
Stocks Spread
0.07 2.2%
Forex
Axi excels with over 70 currency pairs, outpacing competitors such as AvaTrade, which provides just over 50. Coupled with the enhanced MT4 platform via the NextGen add-on, Axi stands out as a top choice for forex traders. HYCM provides over 40 forex pairs for trading on the MT4 or MT5 platforms. Leverage is capped at 1:30, compliant with regulatory standards. The Raw account features tight spreads starting at 0.2, while the commission-free Classic account offers spreads from 1.2.
Assets
70+ 40+
GBPUSD Spread
0.5 0.4
EURUSD Spread
0.2 0.1
EURGBP Spread
0.5 0.4
Cryptocurrency
Axi offers round-the-clock short-term trading on 30 popular cryptocurrencies paired with fiat currencies, other tokens, and metals. It distinguishes itself with leverage options up to 1:200 for experienced crypto traders, enhancing both potential gains and risks. HYCM provides trading options exclusively on Bitcoin, available as CFDs paired with USD. Although this allows traders to engage with the largest cryptocurrency by market capitalisation, offering a wider selection of digital currencies would align the broker more closely with its competitors.
Spread
From 0.0 Variable
Coins
  • AAVE
  • ADA
  • AVAX
  • BAT
  • BCH
  • BCH
  • BNB
  • BTC
  • BTC
  • COMP
  • CRV
  • DOG
  • DOT
  • ENJ
  • EOS
  • ETH
  • FTT
  • KSM
  • LNK
  • LNK
  • LRC
  • LTC
  • LTC
  • MANA
  • MATIC
  • MKR
  • OMG
  • SAND
  • SOL
  • SUSHI
  • UNI
  • XLM
  • XRP
  • XRP
  • XTZ
  • BTC
Crypto Lending
No No
Crypto Mining
No No
Crypto Staking
No No
Auto Market Maker
No No
Axi HYCM
Visit Axi Visit HYCM
72.4% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider